The famous Tower of London is one of the most popular and recognizable landmarks in the UK. This beautiful fortress was built in the 11th century. It has changed many statuses over the years. It was the royal residence and then used for the defense of the city. Subsequently, the fortress was converted into an arsenal. The prison was opened in it then. The very first prisoners were imprisoned in it at the end of the 12th century. Representatives of the royal families, as well as many other notable persons, were imprisoned in the Tower of London.
The old castle was used as a prison until the mid-20th century. Many famous gangsters, as well as the Kray twins, served their sentences here. Initially, the prison was used to hold only high-ranking officials. The kings of France and Scotland were among its earliest prisoners. Some cells held Kings James I of Scotland, as well as Charles of Orleans, in the castle even today.
Many priests were imprisoned in the fortress in the 12th-13th centuries. Representatives of the aristocracy, whom the authorities suspected of treason, also served their sentences here at this time. Many high-profile executions took place within the walls of the Tower of London. It was here that Henry VI was executed, as well as many of the Tower princes. Perhaps the execution of Prince Edward V was one of the most high-profile events in the history of the fortress-prison. He was only 12 years old at the time of his execution. There were many terrible legends about the prison in the Middle Ages. Most of them concerned about the torture carried out in it.
German spies were kept in prison during the First World War. Official data from this period show 11 German prisoners shot. But according to unofficial data, their number was ten times higher. The fortress was also used to hold prisoners of war during the Second World War. Quite famous people were among them. The captured Rudolf Hess was held in the Tower of London during the war. The Tower of London is open for guided tours today. The historical museum and armory occupy part of the ancient fortress today. One of the most famous prisons in the world regained the status of a royal residence in the second half of the 20th century.
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Useful staff nearby
Car rental office: 'Budget Car Hire London Tower Bridge' is located in 0.32 km (
on the map).
Fuel station: 'Petro Trading & Supply LLP' in 0.42 km
Supermarket: 'Tesco Express' in 0.32 km
Parking: 'Tower Hill Pedestrian Entrance' in 0.09 km
Apotheek: 'Superdrug' in 0.39 km
Police station: 'British Transport Police' in 1.08 km
Cafe/restaurant: 'Ross' in 0.07 km
Railway station: 'London Fenchurch Street' in 0.38 km
Nearest airports:
» London City Airport LCY - in 8 km
» London Biggin Hill Airport BQH - in 20 km
» Northolt Airport NHT - in 23 km
» Heathrow Airport LHR - in 24 km
» Gatwick Airport LGW - in 39 km